Up to 90% of people with dementia experience

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1 Focus on CME at the University of Calgary Getting Aggressive with Dementia Adrienne Cohen, MD, BSc, FRCPC Presented at Behaviour Problems in the Elderly, video-audio conference, 2003 Up to 90% of people with dementia experience behavioural symptoms and 25% to 30% are aggressive during the course of their illness. 1 However, new onset of aggression should not be attributed to dementia without further assessment. The differential diagnosis of aggression in the elderly is listed in Table 1. 1 Diagnoses should be confirmed if aggression is new, changing, or not responding to interventions. Although dementia is defined by cognitive changes with functional impact, 2 behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are at least as important. Caregivers name aggression as the most serious symptom of dementia, 3 but it should not be considered an inevitable or untreatable part of the dementia process. Caregiving strategies (i.e., reassurance, routine, redirection, 4 and reorientation) should be discussed, as they may help avoid some of the environmental triggers for aggression. How do I choose the appropriate therapy? The literature and evidence can guide our approach to aggression in dementia (Table 2). First, consider the goals of therapy in the treatment of aggression, which include: eliminating risk and danger, Mr. Furley s aggression Mr. Furley, 83, presents to your office with aggression. He was admitted to hospital with a hip fracture following an unwitnessed fall 2 weeks earlier. He is agitated and he hits and bites nurses, mostly in the evening. Mr. Furley is incontinent. He can be prompted to void, but will not call for nurses. His examination reveals: 13/30 perseverative field Urine e-coli > 108 Hemoglobin: 115 g/l Mean cell volume: 95 femtolitres His examination is also notable for hip scar and bruising of the knees. Corroborative history was unavailable for over a week. For a followup on Mr. Furley, see page 151. improving quality of life, alleviating distress, allowing evaluation, optimizing function, avoiding institutionalization, and reducing costs to patient, family, and society The Canadian Journal of CME / April 2004

2 Elimination or control of aggressive behaviour is secondary. In one study, monitoring behaviours successfully decreased the number of aggressive events identified from 91 to 16 over six weeks. 6 Charting the ABCs of aggression (antecedents, behaviours, and consequences) 7 may identify precipitants and consequences that reinforce or deter behaviours. The medical work-up and monitoring can thus help identify underlying causes, which we can specifically address. Then, optimization of all possible contributing factors and comorbidities, and ongoing monitoring, can improve the chances of successful management. Table 1 Differential diagnoses of agitation in the elderly Diagnosis Dementia Delirium Drugs/alcohol Psychiatric Personality disorder/ disruptive traits Environmental stressors Comment Most common cause of aggression in older people E.g.: Pain, acute medical disturbances and illnesses, drugs, urinary retention, fecal impaction Interaction, withdrawal, intoxication E.g.: Sundowning, catastrophic reaction, unskillful caregiving Should I use medication? Psychosocial and environmental interventions should form the basis of management wherever possible. Pharmacologic treatment is often considered in potentially dangerous situations or when other management fails. Combination therapy is also indicated in many instances of moderate to severe aggression. Overmedication is a frequent consequence of aggression; 1 therefore, there should be clear indications for drugs, and Dr. Cohen is an assistant professor of medicine, University of Calgary, and a physician, department of geriatric medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta. Table 2 General approach of aggression in dementia History/corroborative history and physical Medication review/substance use Directed investigations to assess potential causes of delirium/pain/psychosis Recording and monitoring Interventions: Directed and non-targeted - Psychosocial appropriate setting: home, facility, specialized units; education; support; lighting, music, etc. - ± Pharmacologic Ongoing monitoring, recording, re-evaluation Referral/consultation The Canadian Journal of CME / April

3 Table 3 Medications for aggression in dementia Medication Starting dosage Recommended Comments/adverse effects dosage Donepezil 5 mg/day 10 mg/day GI S/E; sleep disturbance; caution if asthma; COPD; CV conduction disturbance; epilepsy Rivastigmine 1.5 mg bid 3-6 mg bid GI S/E; good evidence in LBD; caution as per donepezil; less potential for drug interactions or sleep disturbance Galantamine 4 mg bid 8-12 mg bid As per donepezil Haloperidol 0.5 mg/day 1-3 mg/day Multiple routes of administration; high EPS; relatively safe cardiac profile; monitor QT Risperidone mg/day mg/day (bid) Dose-dependent EPS and orthostatic hypotension; approved for BPSD in Canada; least propensity for weight gain and sedation of the atypicals Olanzapine mg/day mg/day S/E (abnormal gait and sedation); in vitro, highly anticholinergic; higher rate of obesity, glucose intolerance, and elevated TG Quetiapine mg/day mg/day (bid) No RCT in dementia; preferred antipsychotic for Parkinson s disease; low EPS; moderate sedation; broad therapeutic range Carbamazepine mg bid 100-1,000 mg/day (bid); Ataxia; sedation; drug interactions; levels 5-8 g/l orthostasis and dizziness; monitor CBC, LFT for serious S/E Cont d on page 150 documentation of whether goals are specifically achieved (versus sedation/chemical restraint) without significant adverse effects. Medications should be minimized and the adage start low, go slow is paramount (Table 3). In certain cases, it may be reasonable to accept a partial response. Which medication do I choose? Expert consensus has been difficult to reach on the best medication for aggression in a given situation. In recently published guidelines for treatment of behavioural symptoms in long-term care, consensus could only be reached for the drug to use in aggression with psychosis (i.e., neuroleptics). 8 The American Academy of Neurology 6 recom- 148 The Canadian Journal of CME / April 2004

4 mended use of the atypical antipsychotics as first-line agents for aggression in dementia. Meta-analyses have shown a modest benefit of conventional antipsychotics in aggression in dementia. 9 The atypical antipsychotics are generally felt to be safer and effective. Other considerations include the type of dementia, risk for falls, seizure history, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, as well as timing of agitation and need for sedation. Prevention There is increasing evidence that acetylcholinesterase antipsychotics may prevent or delay onset of aggressive behaviours in Alzheimer s disease (AD) or mixed dementias over the long term. Currently, rivastigmine has the best data for a clinically significant effect on behaviour; its use may be associated with a need for fewer psychotropic agents. 10 Urgency Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and the combination of the two have been studied in aggression in an acute emergency. Haloperidol is easily administered and acts quickly. It is less sedating than lorazepam, which is the benzodiazepine most often used in urgent, aggressive situations. In three published randomized controlled trials, intramuscular olanzapine compared favourably with haloperidol 11,12 and lorazepam 13 for emergency cases of aggression. Associated psychiatric symptoms Aggression may be associated with other manifestations of BPSD, including psychosis. There is consensus that the atypical neuroleptics are the preferred medications in the case of psychosis. 8,14 Dementia and depression are also associated. In more advanced dementia, depressed mood cannot be well communicated and may be expressed as aggressive behaviour. Antidepressants are worth a trial if depression is felt to be underlying a person s misconduct. Recent studies with selective serotonin reuptake LS E

5 Table 3 Medications for aggression in dementia (cont d) Medication Starting dosage Recommended Comments/adverse effects dosage Divalproex 125 mg qhs 500-2,500 mg; Less sedation, ataxia, and drug levels ~50 mg/l interactions compared with carbamazepine; GI S/E; monitor CBC, liver, and, if needed, INR for serious S/E Gabapentin 100 mg daily or bid 300-2,400 mg Sedation; adjust for creatinine (divided) clearance Citalopram 10 mg/day mg/day GI S/E; sexual dysfunction; tremor Sertraline 25 mg/day mg/day As per citalopram Paroxetine 5-10 mg/day mg/day As per citalopram; more sedating; more P450 interaction; more anticholinergic; both potentially good for anxiety, panic Trazodone mg/day mg/day Sedation; postural hypotension; priapism; caution in cardiac disease Buspirone 5 mg tid mg/day (tid) S/E generally mild; 2-4 weeks for effect Lorazepam 0.5 mg mg Withdrawal; dependence; sedation; confusion; falls; paradoxical agitation Oxazepam mg mg As per lorazepam Propanolol mg Hypotension; bradycardia; COPD exacerbation; worsen hypoglycemia and cognition Pindolol mg As per propanolol GI: Gastrointestinal S/E: Side-effects COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease CV: Cardiovascular bid: Twice daily LBD: Lewy body dementia RCT: Randomized controlled trial TG: Triglyceride EPS: Extrapyramidal side-effects CBC: Complete blood count LFT: Liver function test qhs: Every hour of sleep INR: International normalized ratio tid: Three times daily BPSD: Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia 150 The Canadian Journal of CME / April 2004

6 inhibitors have demonstrated some benefit on emotional and behavioural symptoms in non-depressed, demented people. Financial considerations Budgets are a concern for the individual, institutions, and society. The newer agents generally are more expensive. Price differentials exist within medication classes. There are direct and indirect cost savings associated with treatment of aggression in this population. How long do I continue therapy? Medications may be administered during an acute aggressive episode without the need for ongoing use. For more prolonged therapy, and if there are no limiting adverse effects, psychotropics should be continued for an assessment period of four days to four weeks. 15 Medication may be discontinued for inadequate response or clinically significant side-effects. If the drug is tolerated and effective, there are no data on how long to continue. U.S. guidelines recommend attempts to taper and discontinue these agents at least once to twice a year, 8,14 unless there are repeated relapses, suggesting the need to continue the treatment indefinitely. It is recommended that the dosage of antipsychotics be decreased by 25% every one to two weeks. 14 CME What happened to Mr. Furley? Mr. Furley s nurses initial request was to help his nighttime behaviour. He had a trial of trazodone, up to 125 mg in the evenings. The medication sedated Mr. Furley for up to 4 hours, after which he would hit and bite the staff, and require security. In the interim, investigations were repeated, as he resisted care during the day, not allowing any toileting or diaper change. A trial of daytime risperidone was not successful. Corroborative history from Mr. Furley s daughter revealed that he had not been physically aggressive in the past. Mr. Furley responded to a trial of quetiapine, 50 mg for two nights. On the third night, prior to transfer to a continuing care unit, he became aggressive again. The sundowning was better controlled with an atypical neuroleptic. The resistance to care was managed by nursing approach. When the nurses approached Mr. Furley, he immediately acquiesced and was co-operative. Take-home message Charting the ABCs (antecedents, behaviours, and consequences) may identify precipitants and consequences that may reinforce or deter behaviours. The optimization of all contributing factors, and comorbidities, as well as ongoing monitoring, can improve the chances of successful management. In more advanced dementia, depressed mood cannot be well communicated, and may be expressed as aggressive behaviour. It is recommended that the dosage of antipsychotics be decreased by 25% every one to two weeks. The Canadian Journal of CME / April

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